Quickly release/ lock apparatus in fall preventer device of a lifeboat

ABSTRACT

Quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat is consist of a connecting base, two springs, two pins, two pin handles, two stoppers and a U-shaped bar. The two springs and the two pins are respectively secured into two chambers of the connecting base, and one end of the two pins is respectively abutted to the two springs. The two pin handles are respectively inserted into to two sliding grooves of the connecting base and on the two pins. The two stoppers are respectively stuffed into holes of the connecting base The U-shaped bar is connected to the connecting base. Therefore, an operator can simply use two fingers to pull the two pin handles in order to drive the two pins moving inwardly in opposite direction so the U-shaped bar can be quickly released or locked into the connecting base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invent is related to quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat, particularly to an apparatus able to be locked or released the U-shaped bar from the connecting base by an operator's two fingers pulling the two pin handles moving inwardly in opposite direction.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In view of the sinking accident of the RMS Titanic which caused serious casualties in 1912, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paid much attention to the completion and maintenance of a ship's lifesaving equipment. In addition, both the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA) have prescribed that all the international voyage ships must be equipped with lifeboats, and large merchant ships, passenger liners and ferry boats must regularly carry out operation of the lifeboats' drill and further prescribed that under what condition it is necessary to carry out lifesaving drill when the ship's personnel is changed. The lifesaving equipment of a ship is the last defense for human lives at sea, having important function of rescuing personal on ship in case of emergency, and lifeboats are statutory lifesaving equipment of a ship and the safety of the lifeboats are worthy of attention no matter of shipwreck or lifesaving drill. Accidents have been happening over and over again around the world, and the most of them have happened frequently because of the lifeboat's hooks accidently loosening, which usually caused numbers casualties. Therefore, the Marine Safety Committee (MSC) has suggested that a fall preventer device shell be equipped on a lifeboat to enhance safety in a lifeboat drill as prescribed on MSC.1/Cir. 1327.

As shown on FIG. 1, an ordinary suspending lifeboat 1 is provided a fixture 10 respectively at the bow and the stern. The fixture 1 is provided a hook 11 and a latch 12. Hanging strop 13 between lifeboat 1 and mother ship can be linked to the hook 11 of the lifeboat 1 as so to suspend the lifeboat by fastening to hanging ring 14. A fall preventer device 2 is provided between the fixture 10 and the hanging strop 13 in order to prevent the lifeboat 1 accidently dropping from impropriated operation or mechanical failure. As shown on FIG. 1˜2, a fall preventer device is disposed an auxiliary strop 20 bored with a connecting ring 21 respectively on two ends of the auxiliary strop 20. A C-shaped connector 22 is respectively disposed on the two connecting rings 21 and provided with an opening 220. The two ends of the C-shaped 22 connector are respectively disposed a thru hole 221 and a thread hole 222. A pin 23 is inserted through the thru hole 221 and screwed into the thread hole 222 as so to close the opening 220 of the C-shaped connecter 22. One end of the pin 23 is designed as a holding end 230 and the other end is bored with thread 231. Therefore, the two C-shaped connectors 22 can be connected on the connecting rings 21 respectively on both ends of the auxiliary strop 20 so that the two C-shaped connectors 22 can be individually connected to the hanging strop 13 of the mother boat and the fixing ring 15 of the fixture 10 of the lifeboat 1 as shown on FIG. 1. The reason of installing the fall preventer device 2 is that if the hook 11 is accidently loosened; the auxiliary strop 20 could still hold the lifeboat 1 as so to enhance safety. After dropping the lifeboat 1 to water surface, the pin 23 can be screwed outwardly to release from the C-shaped connectors 22 on one end of auxiliary strop 20 so that the auxiliary strop 20 can be separated from either the hanging strop 13 of the mother ship or the hanging ring 15 on fixture 10 of the lifeboat 1. In order to retrieve the lifeboat 1 back to mother ship, the pin 23 shall screwed the C-shaped connector 22 connecting with either the hanging strop 13 of the mother ship or the fixing ring 15 on the fixture 10 of the lifeboat 1. However, after dropping the lifeboat 1 to water surface, the lifeboat will swing strongly because of waves. An operator must hardly rotate the pin 23 so that the thread 231 of the pin 23 can be totally spun out from the thread hole 222 of the C-shaped connector 22 as so to remove the pin 23 from the C-shaped connector 22. In addition, after the pin 23 connecting to the C-shaped connector 22, they might be accidently loosened because of the connection tightness insufficient. But if the connection was too tight, it is difficult to remove the pin 23 from the C-shaped connector 22. Moreover, when the lifeboat is floated and driven by waves so that the pin 23 and the C-shaped connector 22 are the loading point, it is difficult to screw or remove the pin 23 from the C-shaped connector 22 under such condition. Therefore, the operation of locking or releasing is difficult and takes long time. Further, locking or releasing hook must be done very carefully by both hands of the operator, because the hands might be easily squeezed into the connection portion to be injured or broken finger. Moreover, due to the pin 23 is screwed into the C-shaped connector 22, the thread 231 of the pin 23 is easily rotated as automatically removing from the thread hole 222 of the C-shaped connector 22 so that the auxiliary strop 20 loses the connection. Additionally, if the two ends of the C-shaped connector 22 are pulled by outer force, a deformation will be created. The C-shaped connector 22 after deforming can't be firmly locked by the pin 23 so that a dropping might be happened and the fall preventer device 2 loses its' function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This present invent can solve the defects of the conventional fall preventer device while releasing or locking, such as not firmly locking or not easy releasing at tidal waves, hands easy squeezed to be injured or broken finger, the insufficient strength of the construction, or easily deformation and so on.

The object of the present invent is to offer quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat which is able to be simply and quickly released or locked with a fall preventer device. This invent not only meet the regulation set forth the MSC. 1/fire. 1327 which states “a lifeboat shell be quickly and easily disengaged the locking condition when approach to water surface”, but also enhances the overall construction and is not easily to be deformed so that safety of an operator can be enhanced.

The present invent of the quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat is consist of connecting base, two springs, two pins, two pin handles, two stoppers and a U-shaped bar.

Two chambers are disposed oppositely inside of the connecting base. A hole is respectively disposed on both ends of the connecting base and connected to the chambers. Two inserting grooves are disposed on the connecting base and respectively through the two chambers. On one literal side is bored with two sliding grooves oppositely wherein the two sliding grooves are respectively connected to the chambers and the outer walls of the two sliding grooves are respectively connected to the two inserting grooves.

The two springs are respectively inserted into the two chambers of the connecting base.

The two pins are respectively inserted in to the two chambers of the connecting base and one end of the two pins is abutted to the spring inside of the chamber of the connecting base.

The two pin handles are respectively inserted into the two sliding grooves of the connecting base and secured to the two pins.

The two stoppers are respectively screwed inside of the holes.

The U-shaped bar is connected to the connecting base. On the two ends of the U-shaped bar are respectively disposed a locking rod wherein a locking hole is disposed on the locking rod and a stopping edge is provided between the locking rod and the body of the U-shaped bar.

The present invent, a quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat, wherein inner tread is bored on the inner wall of the hole inside of the connecting base, and outer thread is bored on the outer wall of the stopper, can block the spring and the pin in position inside of the chamber by screwing the stoppers.

The present, a quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat, wherein a thread hole is bored on the pin and a thread rod is provided on the end of the pin handle as so to the pin handle and the pin can be connected together by the thread rod screwing into the thread hole.

The present invention, a quick release/lock device in fall preventer device for a lifeboat, wherein a recess is bored on a side of the stoppers so that the stoppers can be secured threadably into the hole of the connecting base by a tool placing on the recess to rotate.

The present, quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat, wherein each side of the U-shaped bar is bored with beveling plane, so, the cross section of the U-shaped bar can be polygon as so to enhance the body strength to avoid the deformation.

The present invent, a quick release/lock device of fall preventer device for a lifeboat, has several advantages as following:

1. an operator can use two fingers to pull the two pin handles in the present invent at the same time to drive the two pins moving opposite inwardly as so to quickly release or lock the U-shaped bar into the connecting base. It can be convenience and easy to use while operating.

2. an operator must pull the two pin handles together to release the U-shaped bar from the connecting base. However, if the operator accidently pulls one of the two pin handles, the U-shaped bar is still firmly connected with the connecting base without separating. So, it can ensure the operating safety.

3. the present invent is also enhance the strength of the overall construction to avoid the deformation.

4. The operation of the present invent is easy to release or lock as so to save operating time and reduce risk while operating. Therefore, the present invent can provide the best protection to an operator while operating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

This invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is schematic view of a conventional fall preventer device in a lifeboat in a using condition;

FIG. 2 is a cross perspective view of a conventional C-shaped connector and an insert pin in fall preventer device;

FIG. 3 is cross perspective view of the quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat in the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat showing locking in the present invention;

FIG. 6 is cross view of the quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat showing release in the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is schematic view of the quick release/lock apparatus in fall preventer device for a lifeboat when using in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of a quick release/lock apparatus in a fall preventer device for a lifeboat in the present invention, as shown on FIG. 3˜5, the present invent is consist of a connecting base 3, two springs 4, two pins 5, pin handles 6, two stoppers 7 and a U-shaped bar 8. Two chambers 30 are disposed oppositely inside of the connecting base 3. On both ends of the connecting base 3 are disposed respectively with a hole 31 bored with inner thread on the inner wall and connected to the chambers 30. Two inserting grooves 32 are bored on the connecting base 3 and respectively through the two chambers 30. Two sliding grooves 33 are disposed oppositely on one literal side of the connecting base 3 wherein the two sliding grooves 33 are respectively connected to the two chambers 30 and the outer walls of the two sliding grooves 33 are respectively connected to the two inserting grooves 32. The two springs 4 are respectively inserted into the two chambers 30 of the connecting base 3. The two pins 5 are respectively inserted in to the two chambers 30 of the connecting base 3 and one end of the two pins 5 is abutted to the spring 4 inside of the chamber 30 of the connecting base 3. A thread hole 50 is bored on the pin 5. The two pin handles 6 are respectively inserted into the two sliding grooves 33 of the connecting base 3 and secured to the two pins 5. One end of the pin handle 6 is bored with a thread rod 60. The two stoppers 7 are respectively screwed inside of the holes 31 of the connecting base 3. The outer wall of the stopper 7 is bored with outer thread. One side of the stopper 7 is bored with a recess 70 and the recess 70 is designed in shape, such as flathead, cross, inner hexagon and so on. The U-shaped bar 8 is connected to the connecting base 3. On the each side of the U-shaped bar 8 is bored with beveling plane 80 so that the cross section can be polygon as in order to enhance strength of the U-shaped bar 8. On the two ends of the U-shaped bar 8 are respectively bored with a locking rod 81 wherein a locking hole 82 is bored on the locking rod 81 and stopping edge 83 is provided between the locking rod 81 and the body of the U-shaped bar 8. Here comes the construction of the present invent, a quick release/lock device in fall preventer device for a lifeboat.

As shown on FIG. 3˜6, while assembling, firstly, the two springs 4 are respectively inserted into the two chambers 30 of the connecting base 3, and then, putting the two pins 5 respectively into to the two chambers 30 so that one end of the pins 5 can be abutted to one end of the springs 4. The two stoppers 7 are respectively screwed into to holes 31 on the both ends of the connecting base 3 by using a tool. The stoppers 7 can block the springs 4 and the pins 5 in position inside of the chambers 30 of the connecting base 3 and also prevent the springs 4 and the pins 5 from dropping out from the chamber 30. The two pin handles 6 are respectively inserted into the two sliding grooves 33 of the connecting base 3, and then, the thread rod 60 of the two pin handles 6 are screwed into to the thread holes 50 of the pins 5 so that the pin handles 6 and the pins 5 can be connected together. The two pin handles 6 are able to slide inside of the sliding grooves 33. While assembling, two fingers in a single hand can pull the two pin handles 6 moving opposite inwardly at the same time, as shown on FIG. 6. After all, the two pins 5 are driven to move inwardly by the pin handles 6 to push the springs 4 into resilient compressed condition and the two pins 5 can be removed from inserting grooves 32 of the connecting base 3. Then, the locking rod 81 on the two ends of the U-shaped bar 8 can be inserted into the inserting grooves 32 of the connecting base 3. Then, the two fingers can be released from the pin handles 6, so, the two springs 4 can recovery its resiliency to push the pins 5 moving outwardly and the pins 5 are able to be inserted into the locking holes 82 of the U-handle shaped 8 so that the U-shaped bar 8 can be connected firmly with the connecting base 3. The pin handles 6 are pushed back to its original position by the pins 5 moving outwardly. Hence, here is completed the assembly.

As show on FIG. 3˜7, a fall preventer device is installed between the lifeboat 1 and the strop 13 of the mother ship. In order to operate, the two U-shaped bars 8 of the present invent are respectively inserted through the connecting rings 21 on the two ends of the auxiliary strop 20 of the fall preventer device. One of the two U-shaped bars 8 is inserted through the fixing ring 15 on the fixture 10 of the lifeboat 1 and one of the connecting bases 3 is fastened to the U-shaped bar 8. In order to fasten the U-shaped bar 8 with the connecting base 3, the operator only needs to pull the two pin handles 6 of the connecting base 3 moving oppositely towards the center, as shown on FIG. 6, so that the two pins 5 inside of the connecting base 3 can be removed from the sliding grooves 32 of the connecting base 3 and pressed the two springs 4 inside of the two chambers 30 into resilient compressed condition. Then, the locking rods 81 on two ends of the U-shaped bar 8 are respectively inserted into the inserting grooves 32 of the connecting base 3 and the stopping edge 83 of the U-shaped bar 8 can hold in position inside of the connecting base 3. After all, the two fingers can release from the two pin handles 6 so that the two pins 5 and the two pin handles 6 can be pushed back to the original position by the two springs 4 because of the resilient recovery as so to the two pins 5 can be inserted respectively into to the two locking holes 82 of the locking rod 81 on the two ends of the U-shaped bar 8 as shown on FIG. 5. Therefore, the U-shaped bar 8 is firmly connected to the connecting base 3 which means one end of the auxiliary strop 20 is firmly connected to the fixing ring 15 of the fixture 10 on the lifeboat 1. The other one of the U-shaped bars 8 and the connecting base 3 are able to be fastened the other end of the auxiliary strop 20 on the hanging strop 13 of the mother ship in the same way as shown on FIG. 7. So, by using the present invent, a quick release/lock device in fall preventer device for a life boat, it is not only to help the auxiliary strop 20 firmly connected to the fixing ring 15 of the fixture 10 on the lifeboat 1 and the hanging strop 13 of the mother boat, but also improve safety while suspending the lifeboat 1. In additional, it is easy and quick to release or lock the U-shaped bar 8 with connecting base 3 so that it can save time on releasing or locking. It also can reduce risks so that it can provide the best protection to the operator when operating.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made therein and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications that may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A quick release/lock device in fall preventer device for a lifeboat is consist of connecting base, two springs, two pins, two pin handles, two stoppers and a U-shaped bar. Inside of the connecting base is disposed with two chambers oppositely. A hole is respectively disposed on both ends of the connecting base and connected to the chambers. Two inserting grooves are bored on the connecting base and respectively through the two chambers. On one literal side is bored with two sliding grooves oppositely wherein the two sliding grooves are respectively connected to the chambers and the outer walls of the two sliding grooves are respectively connected to the two inserting grooves. The two springs are respectively inserted into the two chambers of the connecting base. The two pins are respectively inserted in to the two chambers of the connecting base and one end of the two pins is abutted to the spring inside of the chamber of the connecting base. The two pin handles are respectively inserted into the two sliding grooves of the connecting base and connected to the two pins. The two stoppers are respectively screwed inside of the holes. The U-shaped bar is connected to the connecting base. On the two ends of the U-shaped bar are respectively bored with a locking rod wherein a locking hole is bored on the locking rod and a stopping edge is provided between the locking and the body of the U-shaped bar.
 2. The quick release/lock device in fall preventer device for a lifeboat as claimed in claim 1 of the present invent, wherein inner tread is bored on the inner wall of the hole inside of the connecting base, and outer thread is bored on the outer wall of the stopper, can block the spring and the pin in position inside of the chamber by screwing the stopper.
 3. The quick release/lock device in fall preventer device for a lifeboat as claimed in claim 1 of the present invent, wherein a thread hole is bored on the pin and a thread rod is provided on the end of the pin handle as so to the thread rod of the pin handle can be screwed into the thread hole of the pin.
 4. The quick release/lock device in fall preventer device for a lifeboat as claimed in claim 1 of the present invent, wherein a recess is disposed on one side of the stopper.
 5. The quick release/lock device in fall preventer device for a lifeboat as claimed in claim 1 of the present invent, wherein the each side of U-shaped bar is bored with beveling plane so that the cross section of the U-shaped bar can be polygon. 